Xander snapped the lid down on his laptop. “Right, enough for one day. We’ve got some great shots.” He stood up and stretched, the lean muscular planes of his body outlined by the light from the plate glass window in the hotel room. He didn’t remind Jeanie of anyone anymore — he was Xander, all angles, barely contained sexuality, and a smile that made her go weak at the knees.
Something shifted deep inside her as she rose to join him. “I think I’m getting better with practice,” she said.
“You don’t need practice, you’re a natural. I’ve told you before.” His arm slipped around her shoulders and he pulled her close, resting his chin on the top of her head as they stared out at the wide expanse of water and the determined ferries bustling into the Quay.
Jeanie’s insides clenched at his touch just as they had yesterday when he had caught her in the water. A stab of something started in her chest and plummeted to her stomach. She could feel his leg against the length of hers and smell warm sandalwood and soap.
After three more ferries docked, they gave up the pretence of staring out of the window and he turned to face her, pulling her to him, his left hand splayed against her waist. Her arms slid up around his neck and she molded the length of her body against his.
She slid a glance at him under lowered eyelashes, pleased to see his eyes darken and feel his muscles tighten. Very slowly and gently, he eased her back against the glass until one hand held her against his body pressing into the small of her back, the other cradling her head and tilting it slightly, giving him just the right angle to tease her mouth open.
“On second thoughts, perhaps you should get some more practice,” he agreed, his voice blurring as he dragged his lips across her cheek and jaw until they met hers. Her mouth opened and her arms tangled around his neck. He threaded his fingers through her hair and the room disappeared into a melding mesh of color and heat.
As Xander ran his tongue along the inside of her lower lip, Jeanie stifled a groan and her mouth opened wider and her body pressed even closer to him until she could feel the play of his taut stomach muscles and the thickness of his arousal against her.
When his fingers splayed across her collarbones she whimpered with pleasure then without thought, her back arched. His palm slid lower and he ran his fingers under the fine lace of her bra teasing, testing and tantalizing her.
“Slow down, baby, slow down.” His moist breath coated the sensitive skin of her neck. “We’re in no hurry and I don’t want you running away again.”
A flush of heat scored its way up her body and her spine bumped against the cold flatness of the window behind her. She shuddered, dropping her head back, her knees wobbling so much she might have been balanced on the window ledge.
“Come.” Xander dropped his arms and offered his hand, leading her to the king sized bed, she sank onto it. Standing in front of her he raised his arms, and pulled his white shirt up and over his head in one fluid movement. Jeanie turned her face but once his shirt dropped onto the floor she found it impossible to ignore his strong broad shoulders and well-muscled arms. The dusting of hair across his chiseled chest led her gaze lower until it reached the line of hair below his navel that disappeared into his low-slung jeans. The ridiculous dance in her stomach reached a crescendo and another whimper sneaked out between her dry lips.
“Your turn.”
“My turn?” Her voice sounded little more than a squeak and as he leaned forward and dropped to his knees, she moistened her lips in anticipation. For a fleeting second she heard the whisper of the nightmare trees of her dream as their tendrils reached for her and then his warm hands circled her waist, her arms lifted, and her top glided over her head.
This time the groan was his and she watched his eyes darkened to black as he ran his feather light touch across the swell of her breast. Her nipples peaked and thrust against the flimsy lace, begging his fingers to trace lower.
“Jeanie.” Xander’s voice sounded hoarse and rough, but his touch was as smooth as silk and she reveled in her ability to arouse him. Her hands reached behind her and she rested her palms flat on the bed and leaned backward, thrusting her breasts forward in open invitation. The stubble on his cheek raked her tender skin as he nuzzled aside her straps and buried his face against her.
A surge of happiness and delight flooded Jeanie and she laughed aloud and then flopped back onto the bed, rewarded by the delicious warmth and weight of Xander’s body as he covered her. Yesterday it had been kisses; this was so much better and she knew with a sudden certainty she would not be running away from anything.
His intense gaze made her skin tingle, the single moment stretching into an infinity of longing until his mouth claimed hers again and again. She wrapped her arms around him, trying to draw him even closer, reveling in the pressure of his muscular body, his mouth, and his hands.
The wet heat of his lips left a trail of fire across her neck, making her buck and arch under him and then his hand cradled her breast while his tongue traced lower, kissing, licking, and flicking the sensitive skin. All thoughts fled from her mind until only her senses responded. Her fingers slid into his soft hair urging him closer until he worked his way lower to the soft tremulous skin of her stomach where his tongue trailed swirls of delight.
Kneading the strong muscles of his shoulders, Jeanie ran her hands down his arms until goose bumps flecked the smooth skin of his biceps. He lifted his head and gazed deep into her eyes making shivers run over her heated skin. Then in a split second, the passion left his face and his body relaxed and he lifted himself onto his elbows.
“Jeanie, we have to stop.” His thick and husky voice dripped with desire belying his words. “Stop now.” A war of emotions played across the planes of his face. He dropped a kiss on her lips, a kiss of tenderness, compassion, and regret.
“I don’t want you to stop.”
“Darling, you do. Do you know what you’re saying?”
Jeanie stilled his lips with her fingers. If she could just nod and try to avoid the talking, then everything would be fine, but once she started talking things would get complicated.
“Xander, shhh.” She ran her finger against his moist lips and he nipped at it with his teeth. “Don’t worry. I know what happens next.” She’d done enough worrying a lifetime ago and this didn’t feel anything like the horrible night in the park with Billy. She trampled the memory down just as she had done a million times before. It would not define her and nothing would spoil this moment with Xander.
Her words released the floodgates on a dam and Xander pulled her against him, running his hands up and down her body, recreating the tremors, chasing goose bumps, making her insides melt and her head spin.
She slid her fingers into the waistband of his jeans, tugging softly at the buckle of his belt, and his groan reverberated in the pit of her stomach making her breath catch at the sound of his pleasure. Raising himself on one elbow, Xander reached into his pocket, tossing a foil packet onto the bed before he stood gazing down at her and slowly unzipped his jeans.
“You’re sure?”
“I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.”
Jeanie started at the realization that she meant every word — the incredible comprehension that she wanted him more than she had ever wanted anything. Her heart thundered as his fingers caressed her stomach and slid lower into her damp wetness. Her moan of pleasure echoed in her ears, her body arching up to him, pleading for him.
The crinkle and tearing of foil broke into her consciousness and she opened her eyes to see him sheathing himself. A flush of heat rocketed through her veins as he lowered his weight. Grabbing his shoulders, she wriggled her body under him, parting her legs. “Now, Xander, now, please. I want you inside me.” He pushed into her, filling her and all the empty spaces in her heart.